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Coffee Break Training: Construction Site Flammable and Combustible Liquids
"Development projects often require substantial earth moving or excavating operations related to site features and building construction. To keep the equipment moving and profitable, contractors may want to have fuel storage and dispensing on the project site. The fire code requirements for Class I and II flammable and combustible liquids at construction sites are slightly different from permanent installations due to the temporary nature and limited exposures of these special operations."
United States Fire Administration
2008-04-08
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U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series: Chemical Fire in Apex, North Carolina
"This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem and the many types of service provided by fire departments. The information informs policymakers, who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and personnel within the fire service, to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas. For reports on major fires and other critical incidents to which fire departments respond, USFA, which has no regulatory authority, sends an experienced fire investigator into a community only after having conferred with the local fire authorities to ensure that USFA's assistance and presence would support, not interfere, with any local review of the incident. The intent is to arrive after the dust settles so that a complete and objective review of all the important aspects of the incident can be made. Local authorities review USFA's report while it is in draft form. The USFA investigator or team is available to local authorities should they wish to request technical assistance for their own investigation. […] The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) develops reports on selected major fires throughout the country. The fires usually involve multiple deaths or a large loss of property, but the primary criterion for deciding to write a report is whether it will result in significant 'lessons learned.' […] Under this project, USFA also develops special reports addressing a variety of issues that affect fire service such as homeland security and disaster preparedness, new technologies, training, fireground tactics, and firefighter safety and health. The reports are sent to fire magazines and are distributed at national and regional fire meetings"
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States Fire Administration
2008-04
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U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series Special Report: The After-Action Critique: Training Through Lessons Learned
"The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) develops reports on selected major fires throughout the country. The fires usually involve multiple deaths or a large loss of property, but the primary criterion for deciding to write a report is whether it will result in significant 'lessons learned.' In some cases these lessons bring to light new knowledge about fire--the effects of building construction or contents, human behavior in fire, and so forth. In other cases, the lessons are not new, but are serious enough to highlight once again because of another fire tragedy. Under this project, USFA also develops special reports addressing a variety of issues that affect the fire service, such as homeland security and disaster preparedness, new technologies, training, fireground tactics, and firefighter safety and health. The reports are sent to fire magazines and are distributed at national and regional fire meetings. The reports are available on request from USFA. Announcements of their availability are published widely in fire journals and newsletters. This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem and the many types of service provided by fire departments. The information informs policymakers, who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and personnel within the fire service, to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas. For reports on major fires and other critical incidents to which fire departments respond, USFA, which has no regulatory authority, sends an experienced fire investigator into a community only after having conferred with the local fire authorities to ensure that USFA's assistance and presence would support, not interfere with, any local review of the incident. The intent is to arrive after the dust settles so that a complete and objective review of all the important aspects of the incident can be made. Local authorities review USFA's report while it is in draft form. The USFA investigator or team is available to local authorities should they wish to request technical assistance for their own investigation. For additional copies of this report write to the United States Fire Administration, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727 or visit our Web site: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States Fire Administration
2008-04
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Coffee Break Training: Composite Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)
"Composite IBCs [Intermediate Bulk Container] have become a popular container for the transportation and storage of combustible liquids. The term 'composite' refers to multiple materials of construction, typically polyethylene (inner container) and steel (outer system). The term 'Intermediate Bulk Container' refers to a container with capacity between 60 and 793 gallons (227 to 3000 L). Typical composite IBCs consist of a 275-gallon (1040 L) plastic bottle surrounded by steel tube grids with an integral pallet."
United States Fire Administration
2008-04-01
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Special Report: Fire Department Preparedness for Extreme Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters
"This report examines the impact of extreme weather and natural disasters on the fire service. It also addresses the types of service calls most likely to arise as a result of these disasters and what equipment and planning are needed in order to be prepared. Safety, mutual aid, shift management, resource identification, logistics, and other related issues are discussed, along with examples from case studies of fire departments that have learned from experience what can happen. The report provides information that fire departments can use to enhance their level of preparedness and ensure greater safety the next time disaster strikes."
United States Fire Administration
2008-04
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Traffic Incident Management Systems
"The USFA has been working with the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Fireman's Association's (CVVFA) Emergency Responder Safety Institute to enhance the operational safety of emergency responders on the highway. The ongoing effort has resulted in the development of a white paper-Protecting Emergency Responders on the Highway-and supporting their ResponderSafety.com Web site... When the two areas are analyzed separately, it becomes evident that injuries and deaths that occur at roadway emergency scenes have increased steadily in recent years. The purpose of this report is to focus on the causes of firefighter injuries and deaths when working on roadway incidents. This report will focus on the causes of these incidents and provide strategies for mitigating them in the future. The occurrence and severity of these incidents can be reduced through proper roadway incident scene tactics and incident management, information which will be covered in the remaining chapters of this document. The remainder of this chapter focuses on statistics and causal information on these types of incidents. Although the remaining chapters of this report focus on roadway incident scene issues, some data on response-related injuries and deaths also are provided below to put the overall vehicle-related injury and death problem in perspective. In some cases, such as the topic of secondary collisions at roadway scene operations, the two are directly related."
United States Fire Administration
2008-04
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Discovering FESHE
Working with coordinators of 2- and 4-year academic fire and EMS degree programs, the US Fire Administration's National Fire Academy has established the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education network of emergency services-related education and training providers. This brochure provides a general overview of the organization, whose goal is to promote higher education and enhance the recognition of the fire and emergency services as a profession to reduce the loss of life and property from fire and other hazards.
United States Fire Administration
2008-03-26?
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Coffee Break Training: Electrical Bonding
"When volatile Class I flammable liquids are poured or dispensed through air, they accumulate a static charge that--under certain conditions--can ignite the liquid with catastrophic results. This static accumulation is the result of differences in electrical potential between the dispensing and the receiving vessels. To equalize the electrical potential and remove the risk of static discharge, the two vessels should be bonded together when the liquid is transferred. Generally, this is done with a bonding cable similar to the one in the photograph. Bonding cables must be durable and of low electrical resistance. Bonding conductor connections must be direct and positive. For portable equipment, uninsulated copper or stainless steel aviation-type flexible cable and single-point clamps like the one pictured should be used. These clamps will make contact with metal surfaces through most paint, rust, and surface contaminants. The single-point clamps are superior to the battery-type and 'alligator'-type clamps for making direct contact."
United States Fire Administration
2008-03-25
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Coffee Break Training: Classifying Flammable and Combustible Liquids
"The key to successful application of building and fire codes in your jurisdiction is to collect accurate information, conduct solid research, and take your time to verify your facts. When it comes to regulating flammable and combustible liquids --easily one of our most common hazardous materials--the first step in this process is to classify the liquid in accordance with the codes and standards. Once the liquid is classified, the codes prescribe the limits on how much and where a particular liquid class may be stored, used, dispensed, handled, or transported, such as the containers in this flammable liquid storage room."
United States Fire Administration
2008-03-18
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Coffee Break Training: Explosive Storage in Magazines
"The past few weeks Coffee Break Training has explored requirements related to explosive magazines and explosive storage. This week, we describe where explosives, explosive materials, and pyrotechnic devices (fireworks) must be stored. Explosive materials are classified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in accordance with Title 18 United States Code, 'Importation, Manufacture, Distribution and Storage of Explosive Materials' and the hazardous materials regulations of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The materials are assigned a United Nations/DOT 'Division' number based on their relative hazards. Magazines are categorized by 'types' depending upon their construction, features, use, location, and the type of explosive materials they will contain. Magazines must be constructed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] 495, 'Explosive Materials Code'; NFPA 1124, 'Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, Storage, and Retail Sale of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Article's; or U.S. Department of Treasury 27 CFR 55, 'Commerce in Explosives'."
United States Fire Administration
2008-03-11
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Coffee Break Training: Explosive Divisions
"Last week's Coffee Break Training, 'Explosive Magazines', explained the different magazine types required for explosive storage. This week, we describe how explosives, explosive materials, and pyrotechnic devices (fireworks) are classified based on their hazards. Explosive materials are classified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in accordance with Title 18 United States Code, 'Importation, Manufacture, Distribution and Storage of Explosive Materials' and the hazardous materials regulations of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The materials are assigned a United Nations/DOT 'Division' number based on their relative hazards."
United States Fire Administration
2008-03-04
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Operational Considerations for the First Operational Period Following a Tornado for the North Kansas City Fire Department
"The problem is the lack of direction in the aftermath of a tornado within the North Kansas City Fire Department (NKCFD). The purpose of this research was to identify challenges and objectives in the first operational period following a tornado touchdown. This action research utilized literature review, interviews, and questionnaires to identify potential challenges for responders following a tornado;to learn what guidelines other departments have developed to assist suppression personnel; and to develop a job aid for members of the NKCFD."
United States Fire Administration
Scarpa, Salvatore J.
2008-03
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US Fire Administration (USFA) Brochure: Protecting Your Family From Fire
This brochure provides the information individuals need when deciding what they must do to protect their families from fire.
United States Fire Administration
2008-03
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US Fire Administration (USFA): Winter Fires: Safety Tips for the Home
This document provides fire safety tips that can help the public maintain a fire safe home during winter. The document discusses kerosene heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces, furnace heating, and other fire safety tips.
United States Fire Administration
2008-03-01?
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Civilian Fire Injuries in Residential Buildings in 2005
"Fires that affect our homes are often the most tragic and the most preventable. While the loss of our possessions can be upsetting, the physical and psychological injuries fires inflict are often far more devastating. It is a sad fact, but nearly three-quarters (72%) of all civilian fire injuries occur as a result of fires in residential buildings--our homes. This Topical Fire Report focuses on the characteristics of these injuries. Civilian fire injuries, by definition, involve people who are injured as a result of a fire. These injuries generally occur from activities of fire control, attempting rescue, or escaping from the dangers of the fire. In 2005, someone was injured in a residential building fire every 39 minutes. The latest available data for 2005 show that an estimated 13,375 civilian fire injuries resulted from an estimated 376,500 residential building fires."
United States Fire Administration
2008-03
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Residential Building Electrical Fires
"These short topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in USFA's [United States Fire Administration] National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context. This report focuses on residential building electrical fires. Findings from this report are: 1) Annually, an estimated 28,300 residential building electrical fires cause 360 deaths, 1,000 injuries, and $995 million in direct loss. 2) Fifteen percent of residential building electrical fires start in bedrooms. 3) Nearly half (47%) of the residential building electrical fires where equipment was involved were caused by the building's wiring. 4) Twenty-two percent of residential building electrical fires occur during December and January."
United States Fire Administration
2008-03
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Firefighter Autopsy Protocol
"The Firefighter Autopsy Protocol has been extensively revised since its original 1994 edition. In this new protocol, a number of additional areas of information have been provided to take into account emerging issues and new technologies as applied to the conduct of autopsies. As stated in the report, it is recommended that autopsies be performed for all firefighter fatalities where a line-of-duty death has occurred. It is further recommended that an autopsy be performed when a non-line-of-duty death may be linked to a line-of-duty exposure. Specific sections have been provided in this report as background and areas of information as related to the conducting of autopsies. General autopsy procedures must be supplemented with additional analyses and reviews in order to ascertain specific causes and mechanisms of death and to add to the body of knowledge for understanding firefighter fatalities which, in turn, helps to prevent future firefighter fatalities. […]. The utility of this specific firefighter autopsy protocol is intended to advance the analysis of the causes of firefighter deaths to aid in the development of improved firefighter health and safety equipment, procedures, and standards. It also is critical in helping to determine eligibility for death benefits under the Federal government's Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) Program, as well as State and local programs. Lastly, implementation of this protocol will increase interest in the study of deaths as related to occupational illnesses among firefighters, both active and retired."
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Stull, J. O. (Jeffrey O.)
2008-03
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Coffee Break Training: Explosives Magazines
"Due to their dangerous properties, explosives must be stored in secure areas protected from fire, weather, theft, bullets, and other hazards. The most common storage method is to place the explosives in a magazine. Magazines are categorized by 'types' depending upon their construction, features, use, location, and the type of explosive materials they will contain. Magazines must be constructed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] 495, 'Explosive Materials Code'; NFPA 1124, 'Code for the Manufacture', 'Transportation, Storage, and Retail Sale of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles'; or U.S. Department of Treasury 27 CFR 55, 'Commerce in Explosives'."
United States Fire Administration
2008-02-26
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Coffee Break Training: Nonmetallic Waste Containers
"Polyethylene rollout waste containers often are provided by trash haulers as a service to commercial building tenants. Intended primarily for outdoor use, these containers may find their way into the structures' interior. Almost all of these inexpensive polyethylene containers have excellent weather-resistance and durability for exterior storage, but represent a huge fuel load when moved indoors. An individual polyethylene container has a latent heat potential of about 20,020 Btu/pound (4.6 MJ/kilogram). A typical 50-gallon (0.189 m3) rollout waste container weighs 10 to 13 pounds (4.5 to 5.9 kg). In that weight range, the container alone adds from 200,200 to 260,260 Btu (211 MJ to 275 MJ) to a room."
United States Fire Administration
2008-02-19
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Coffee Break Training: Pressure Maintenance (Jockey) Pumps
"Most stationary fire pump assemblies are installed with devices that automatically sense a pressure loss in a fire protection system, and start running to supply water or boost pressure in that system. From time to time, though, small water leaks, unwanted pressure drops, or even temperature changes may 'fool' the fire pump into starting when it isn't needed. To prevent these false starts and maintain the fire pump's life expectancy, small pressure-maintenance or 'jockey' pumps like the one pictured are installed to maintain a relatively constant pressure on the fire protection system. A jockey pump should be sized to make up the allowable leakage rate within 10 minutes or 1 gpm (3.8 L/min), whichever is larger. Although a centrifugal-type pressure maintenance pump is preferred, NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] 20, 'Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection' allows a domestic water pump in a dual-purpose water supply system (domestic and fire protection) to function as a pressure maintenance pump."
United States Fire Administration
2008-02-12
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Pump Room Features
"NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] 20, 'tandard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection', requires that the fire pump, driver, controller, water supply, and power supply shall be protected against possible interruption of service through damage caused by explosion, fire, flood, earthquake, rodents, insects, windstorm, freezing, vandalism, and other adverse conditions."
United States Fire Administration
2008-02-05
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Northern Illinois University Shooting: Dekalb, Illinois: February 14, 2008
"On February 14, 2008, less than 1 year after a senior at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) murdered 32 people and committed suicide, the campus community at Northern Illinois University (NIU), in DeKalb, Illinois, faced a similar horror. A former NIU graduate student walked onto the stage of a large lecture hall and began firing on startled students and faculty. […] The fire/EMS, university police, and university events management partners had worked together frequently in planned and unplanned events, so Command and control procedures were well practiced. They also had studied the official report on the Virginia Tech shootings and had integrated the lessons learned enumerated in that report into the university's and the City of DeKalb's emergency response plans, especially from the chapters that reported on the law enforcement and EMS response to that April 16, 2007 incident. The value of that report, their training, and their joint planning was apparent in the excellent response to Cole Hall. The DeKalb Fire Department has stated they hope that what they discovered from their internal debriefings and reports can add to the lessons that were documented from Virginia Tech so that the body of experience can expand to include this most recent tragedy and help other universities, law enforcement agencies, and fire departments as the Virginia Tech report helped them. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is pleased to enable the sharing of information from the NIU shooting with emergency response organizations nationwide."
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Stambaugh, Hollis
2008-02
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Emergency Incident Rehabilitation [Updated February 2008]
"The USFA is committed to working with the major national level fire service organizations in reducing fire-fighter fatalities in the U.S. Numerous programs, research efforts, and other work are being done to support/reach this goal. As part of the effort, the USFA determined that the 1992 FA-114, Emergency Incident Rehabilitation report needed to be updated to ensure that the latest information on the care of firefighters engaged in emergency scene and training operations was made available. In order to facilitate the revision, the USFA entered into a cooperative agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Division of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine, to provide this revised report." The report is divided into the following six sections: The Need for Rehab Operations at Incidents and Training Exercises; Heat Stress and the Firefighter; Cold Stress and the Firefighter; Establishing and Operating a Rehab Area; Caring for Firefighters During Rehab Operations; Postincident Rehab Considerations. Appendix A contains a list of additional references and resources, and Appendix B provides the Fire Department Standard Operating Procedure for Emergency Incident Rehabilitation.
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2008-02
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FESHE Model Curriculum: Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival
These courses focus on the basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives, broadens their scope, and emphasizes their importance at the supervisory and managerial levels.
United States Fire Administration
2008-02
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Profile of Fire in the United States, 1995-2004: Fourteenth Edition
"Periodically, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) publishes a statistical portrait of the fire problem in the United States. This brochure summarizes the 14th edition of Fire in the United States, 1995-2004. The analysis addresses the national fire problem and subsets of this problem, such as residential and non-residential structure fires. It presents trends of fires, deaths, injuries, and dollar loss over the 10-year period, with emphasis on 2004 statistics relating to causes, property types, and casualty characteristics."
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; National Fire Data Center (U.S.)
2008-02
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Fire Risk in 2004 [February 2008]
"The risk from fire is not the same for everyone. Nearly 4,000 deaths and 17,875 injuries in the United States were caused by fire in 2004. These casualties were not distributed equally across the U.S. population, and the resulting risk of death or injury from fire is not uniform-it is more severe for some groups than for others. Much can be learned from understanding why different segments of society are at heightened risk from the fire problem. This Topical Fire Report explores fire risk as it applies to fire casualties in the U.S. population. It is an update to Fire Risk, Volume 4, Issue 7. Risk is a factor, element, or course of action involving uncertainty. It is an exposure to some peril, and it often implies a probability of occurrence, such as investment risk or insurance risk. In terms of the fire problem, risk is the potential for injury or death of a person or damage or loss to property. This topical report focuses on how fire risk, specifically the risk of death and injury, varies with age, and how other demographic and socioeconomic factors weigh upon that risk."
United States Fire Administration
2008-02
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Fire Risk to Children in 2004
"These short topical reports are designed to explore fac¬ets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information." This edition of the Topical Fire Report Series focuses on fire risk to children in 2004. The findings from this report are: "1) The relative risk of children under age 15 dying in a fire is slightly lower than that for the general population. However, when dividing the young into subgroups, 50% of all child fire deaths occur to those under age 5. These children usually are unable to escape from a fire independently. 2) The number of fire injuries also are highest in the under-age-5 bracket, decline in the middle years, but rise again in the 10 to 14 age group. This is a different pattern than deaths, which decrease as children age. 3) Boys are at slightly higher risk of death from fire than girls. 4) African-American and American Indian/Alaska Native children are at an increased risk of death from fire."
United States Fire Administration
2008-02
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Fire Risk to Older Adults
"Older Americans are burdened with the gravest fire risk in the United States, and are consistently more threatened with injury or death by fire than any other segment of society. While admirable strides have been made in lowering the overall U.S. fire death rate in the last decade, fewer gains have been realized among the oldest age groups. This Topical Fire Report explores the risk of fire death in the older adult population and is an update to The Fire Risk to Older Adults, Volume 4, Issue 9. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data, nearly 4,000 deaths were caused by fire in 2004. Older adults were disproportionately the victims-fire fatalities among persons aged 65 years or older in 2004 were 1,265, accounting for nearly 32% of all fire casualties that year. Older adults comprise 12% of the U.S. population,and their ranks are growing. It is estimated that the older population will rise sharply between 2010 and 2030, the years when the baby boom generation will be in retirement. By 2030, the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging estimates adults aged 65 and over will comprise 20% of the U.S. population. Better health care and new developments in medicine continue to increase American life expectancy. By their 65th birthday, on average, Americans can expect to live another 19 years. At close to one-third of total fire deaths, the number of older Americans who die in fires across the Nation clearly is high. The issue becomes even more concerning when the relative risk of fire death encountered by older Americans is compared to the rest of the adult population."
United States Fire Administration
2008-02
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Fire-Related Firefighter Injuries in 2004
"At the fire scene or on the way to a fire, vehicle crash, or explosion, or even while training, firefighters face a relatively high chance of being injured and possibly killed. […]. While the majority of injuries are minor, a significant number are debilitating and career-ending. Such injuries exact a great toll on the fabric of the fire service. From the need to adjust staffing levels and rotations to accommodate injuries, to the focus of the fire service on injury prevention, injuries and their prevention are a primary concern. In addition, the fire service has done much to improve firefighter safety. Firefighter health and safety initiatives, incident command structure, training, and protective gear are but a few areas where time, energy, and resources have been well-spent. Nonetheless, firefighting is, by its very nature, a hazardous profession. Injuries can and do occur. This report presents the details of firefighter injuries sustained at or responding to a fire incident, focusing on 2004 data. These injuries may be the result of operations at the fire scene or responding to or returning from an incident. Confirmation of (or opposition to) previous reported trends of firefighter injuries are noted where appropriate. Most of the statistics presented are from analyses of the 2004 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) Version 5.0 data." Included are a number of tables detailing the types, times, causes, and locations of injuries, as well as the ages and genders of injured firefighters.
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2008-02
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Pump Locations
"Fire pumps are an essential part of many facilities' fire protection features. Whether they draw water from a stationary source, or boost the pressure from a tank or municipal supply, they should be protected in such a way that they will operate under the worst conditions. NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] 20, 'Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection' requires that the fire pump, driver, controller, water supply, and power supply be protected against possible interruption of service through damage caused by explosion, fire, flood, earthquake, rodents, insects, windstorm, freezing, vandalism, and other adverse conditions."
United States Fire Administration
2008-01-29
